Land Disputes

Overview

Many “land disputes” in Fiji are boundary and occupation disputes: missing or moved pegs, fences that do not match title, buildings that appear to cross a lot line, or neighbours who disagree about where one parcel ends and another begins. Under Fiji’s Surveyors Act (Cap. 260), cadastral survey practice is regulated and performed by registered surveyors. Courts and conveyancing practice commonly rely on a registered surveyor’s redefinition survey — and, where required, a survey plan lodged with the Director of Lands for examination and approval by the Surveyor General — as professional evidence of where the surveyed boundary lies on the ground.

A surveyor does not decide ownership of land or replace a solicitor, the courts, the Registrar of Titles, or (for iTaukei land ownership questions) the specialist native-land institutions. What a registered surveyor can do is clarify the cadastral boundary from title and deposited-plan records, measure encroachments, re-establish marks, and produce documentation that neighbours, solicitors, and tribunals can use.

Zion Surveyors handles land-boundary dispute work through a formal redefinition and encroachment survey. Contact us with your certificate of title or lease, any deposited plan (DP) number, and the address of the land.

How boundary dispute surveys usually work in Fiji

Fiji High Court practice shows parties engaging a registered surveyor to carry out a redefinition survey, report found pegs and encroachments, and — where directed by survey practice — produce a survey plan for lodgement with the Director of Lands for Surveyor General approval. Your exact steps depend on freehold, crown lease, or surveyed iTaukei lease title; Zion Surveyors will confirm the correct path from your documents.

1. 1

   Title and cadastral records

   We start from your certificate of title or registered lease and the related deposited plan / survey plan so the field work reconnects to the legal parcel description held in the land registration system.

2. 2

   Field redefinition by a registered surveyor

   On site, Thomas Fesau’s survey work searches for original marks, measures to control, and redefines the title line so you can see where the cadastral boundary sits relative to fences, buildings, and occupation.

3. 3

   Encroachment and conflict reporting

   Where structures or fences cross the surveyed line, the survey quantifies the encroachment area and location — facts that can support neighbour discussion, solicitor advice, or court evidence. Ambiguous reports without clear lot references are of limited use; we aim for clear, plan-based findings.

4. 4

   Plan lodgement where required

   Where Fiji survey practice requires it, a survey plan is prepared for lodgement with the Director of Lands for examination and approval by the Surveyor General. Approved survey geometry supports dealings at the Titles Office and strengthens the record if a dispute continues.

In a boundary dispute now? Call Morgan Len on 2333658 to discuss your case before you fence, build, or litigate. Once we understand your situation, we will arrange the registered survey work with Thomas Fesau.